Going Solo: Talking to a child about Donor Conception

An estimated 1,300 babies are born in the UK using donor sperm and this process is becoming increasingly popular for many single women, as 30% of patients who use donated gametes are those who are opting to go solo.

Although many mothers who choose to conceive alone use this process, it’s quite often that their child will ask why they don’t have a father and it can be difficult to explain to a young child the reason behind it.

The Donor Conception Network (DCN), is a UK based organisation that helps families with donor conceived children, and they offer support and advice to the parents who are unsure on how to tell their child about donor conception. I spoke to Emily Engel, from the DCN who offers her advice about this topic.